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Geographies of Black Plant-Fibers and Dyes

Knowledge Share Description

This knowledge share delves into the heritage and resilience of plant fibers and dyes integral to Indigenous Black African geographies and the Black diaspora in the Caribbean. While most plant fibers and dyes are used primarily for textiles, this knowledge share will explore how these plants embody cultural identity, spirituality, ecological awareness, and medicinal properties. This knowledge share will also examine the aesthetic impact of Black textile traditions on contemporary interior design, as well as how to honor and preserve these ancient practices. Together, we'll discuss strategies for decolonizing design to support and celebrate Black fiber futures.

We will explore:

  • the cultural significance and historical use of plant fibers and dyes in Indigenous Black African geographies and the Black diaspora, particularly in the Caribbean.

  • how plant fibers and dyes are intertwined with cultural identity, spirituality, and heritage, reflecting the values and beliefs of African and Caribbean communities.

  • the ecological awareness embedded in the use of plant-based materials, as well as their medicinal properties and sustainability within Indigenous practices.

  • how Black textile traditions influence contemporary interior design, highlighting aesthetic choices rooted in African and Caribbean cultures.

  • methods for honoring, preserving, and revitalizing ancient textile practices, ensuring their relevance and sustainability in modern contexts.

  • strategies to decolonize design, supporting the recognition and celebration of Black fiber futures within broader design industries and cultural practices.

  • insights into how to incorporate these cultural and ecological practices into personal, professional, or community-based design projects.

Cost

$35 - early bird until December 31, 2024

$45 - low income

$65 - standard

$90 - pay-it-forward (if you have financial abundance, this is our pay-it-forward option to fund our full tuition scholarships)

or access this knowledge share via our Living Library

For more information on sliding scale please check out this amazing work!

The zoom link will be sent upon registration. Recording will be available for 30 days.

Please apply here for a scholarship.

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Living Library

You can access this knowledge share and all of our 2025 knowledge shares by becoming a member of the Living Library.

We invite you to become a member of our Living Library, Herban Cura’s digital school & archive. The Living Library, is a subscription giving access to over 200 hours of  present and past knowledge shares by wisdom holders, professors, land stewards, seed keepers, and investigators spanning Indigenous horse connections & dark sky wisdom, to seaweed medicine & more.

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Accessibility Information

Virtual Gathering

*ASR (automated) captioning provided

The knowledge share zoom link will be sent out immediately upon purchase, along with any other necessary information.

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

5:00pm - 7:00pm Eastern Standard Time

Class will be recorded and available for 30 days. This means you can join from anywhere in the world.

Facilitator

Teju is the founder and ecosystems director of the Black Fiber & Textile Network (bftn), which is a global network for Black people who grow, use and work with plant-based fibers and textiles, as well as natural dyes. Teju’s work centers climate, cultural, and distributive justice by supporting regenerative practices and collaboration. She uses a global lens focusing on local and regional strategies that produce alternative economies at community-scale. Teju strategizes on how we can create / design / consume the things that make up our daily lives and environments in ways that are generative for the earth and each other.

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January 26

West African Tropical Ancestral Medicine: Connecting Tradition, Migration, and Healing Practices from Ghana